[Standard 22] Naya Baloth - Deck Guide

Currently 71% Winrate on Ranked (Diamond) Standard 22 BO1 

Deck Summary

 This deck is not locked under a single wincon. Of course Cragplate Baloth is the strongest creature of the deck but, as you will see for yourself, you also win with Goldspan Dragons, Esika’s Chariot, or even with +1/+1 counters that we bring to the battlefield on other small creatures with Showdown of the Skalds or Ranger Class. I’ve won some games also with Lair of the Hydra.

The game plan is to build board and mana base and then to cast our best creatures before the opponent can even understand what type of deck we are playing or the flow of the game.

In the best scenario we can cast Goldspan Dragon at turn 3 and even Baloth at turn 4. 

It’s not mandatory to be this quick to win games. This deck perform very well also during midgame.

I am really looking forward to play it in BO3 when the queue will be available on MtgArena.

Key Cards

Cragplate Baloth - Imho best green creature by far in the format now. Opponent can’t counter it. Opponent can’t target it. If opponent doesn’t have Soul Shatter or very big creatures is not possible to deal with it.

Goldspan Dragon - You know why

Showdown of the Skalds - Helps to find the right cards quickly during midgame and also can boost our creatures (really useful for example if you mirror another Goldspan Dragon and our gets some +1/+1 counters).

Wish - Help us to find a solution for lots of different game problems during midgame (check the sideboard and you will find out)

Tips

- Tap Jaspera Sentinel + Magda = 1 mana + 1 treasure (with G.D. on the battlefield you get more from that treasure of course) 
- You can also tap Magda to Crew Esika’s Chariot and get the treasure
- If you cast Jaspera Sentinel in turn 1 the best turn 2 drop is Magda if you have it. If not, Prosperous Innkeeper.
- Wish can really twist games in you favor during midgame (5 or 6 mana total required)
- To defend yourself from flyers remember that Jaspera has Reach and that Spellbinder can kill an Ebondeath. Best answer by far is Broken Wings at instant speed (you can use it for example when opponent taps Iymrith). Also Wish can get you answer to flyers.
- Be careful to cast the right side of mdfc dual lands at the beginning of the match. Don’t overthink on future turns (treasures will help eventually) and play to build board presence from the start.

Removals 

2x Shatterskull Smashing

2x Broken Wings

2x Wish

3x Elite Spellbinder (of course not a removal but really helps to build tempo)

VS the meta

Worst Matchups till now for me was Mono White Aggro. Goblin can also rush over you very quickly.

If you accomplish to defend yourself during early stage of the game with board presence, remember that Wish can get you Crush the weak that really can switch the game in your advantage vs aggro decks during midgame.

Mono Black and Orzhov games can be very tricky.

Most favorable match up for me was vs Izzet.